Fishing is hard work in Monster Hunter Wilds if you have no idea what you’re doing. Capturing these aquatic endemic life forms requires patience and the right bait.
Once you’ve completed most of Kanya’s side quests, she’ll ask you to capture a Whopper. Whoppers are essentially large fish that populate various waters. You might’ve seen them before in Monster Hunter: World, such as Gastronome Tunas and Gajaus. In Wilds, however, they’re a bit trickier to catch.
With this in mind, here’s how you can successfully capture a Whopper:
1. Go to Area 17 in the Scarlet Forest During Plenty Season
Area 17—also known as the Great Lake Shore—is the best spot to find Whoppers. These gigantic fish are scattered throughout the open waters. It’s best to go fishing during Plenty Season, especially in the morning when they’re most abundant. To change the weather, simply rest at your camp.
You might notice a flock of Harpios birds feeding from the water. That’s your cue to cast your fishing net—but make sure you actually see large fish swimming in the area first. Otherwise, your efforts will be wasted.
2. Find the Right Bait
Using the right bait is crucial for capturing Whoppers. Fortunately, Kanya provides the necessary bait whenever you complete her quests. In the Whopper quests, she gives you two types: the Duster Rig and the Tuff Joint Rig.
- Duster Rig is used to catch large fish like the Gajau. If you spot a fish with prominent ridges on its back, that’s a Gajau. Simply toss your bait into the water and lure them by flicking the left analog stick (on PS5).
- Tuff Joint Rig is meant for catching Gastronome Tuna and Giant Trevally. If a fish doesn’t have visible ridges, this is the bait to use.
Keep in mind that the flicking technique varies for each fish, so you might need to experiment a bit.
3. How to Reel Them In
Now comes the real challenge—reeling in the Whopper. If I hadn’t double-checked the tutorial menu, I would’ve lost my sanity because I was doing everything wrong.
Here’s how to do it: Once the fish takes your bait, move your fishing rod in the same direction as the fish’s movement. This prevents strain on the hook and helps tire the fish out. When it slows down or stops moving, that’s your chance—reel it in by repeatedly pressing the left analog stick up and down. This gradually pulls the fish in. If it starts fighting again, repeat the process until you finally secure your catch.
And that’s how you catch big fish in Monster Hunter Wilds. For more guides, check out Gfinity.